Driving Factors of Digital Disability Among Older Adults and the Construction of an Inclusive Ecosystem: Evidence from a Multi-method Study in Western China

Background Digital disability has emerged as a novel form of social exclusion that hinders older adults from sharing digital dividends. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in Western China, where digitalization and population aging are undergoing a simultaneous transition. Methods Based on the COM-B（（Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior）model, this research integrates quantitative data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey （CLASS）of 2023(n=2,904) covering 10 western Chinese provinces with qualitative insights from 30 in-depth interviews. Through a multi-method approach involving Latent Class Analysis, multinomial logistic regression, and Random Forest, the study provides a systemic revelation of the critical influencing factors and the nuanced internal heterogeneity of digital disability in this population. Results Findings reveal three heterogeneous profiles among older adults in Western China: "Autonomous and Proficient," "Passive and Dependent," and "Struggling and Help-seeking." Conclusions This study extends the explanatory boundaries of the COM-B model within the field of digital aging. Accordingly, a three-dimensional interactive digital inclusion ecosystem is proposed, comprising the Capability layer (inclusive economic empowerment), the Opportunity layer (a multi-agent collaborative supportive environment), and the Motivation layer (value reaffirmation and self-efficacy enhancement). These insights provide a policy basis and practical pathways for sharing digital dividends and constructing an age-friendly society.